♦ KNOWLEDGE ♦ 



common sunfisli. I recently possessed cue of the latter 

 that not only took flies from my hand, but would thrust 

 its head out of water as far as the pectoral fins to take 



So active are the paradise fishes, alive to every move- 

 ment, that they present a strange contrast to the clumsy 

 tjolden carp in the same tank. All the fins become erect 

 in a manner that reminds one of the sudden spreading of 

 the peacock's tail. There was also another curious move- 

 ment that seemed to quite change the expression of the 

 fish. As soon as they met they remained stationary, face 

 to face, for a moment, each expanding or opening the 

 gill covers, so that they appeared puffed out at quite an 

 angle, exposing the red gills quite plainly from behind. 

 This salute, or whatever it was, was performed four or 



.■Pi\ 



fym 



The Paradise Fish. 



five times in as many minutes ; in fact, every time they 

 met in their movements up and down the tank. At 

 times they would face each other, and, while retaining 

 the same relative position, move round and round each 

 other, theii" plume-like fins waving behind and presenting 

 an attractive appearance. 



The nest-building, which Professor Rice has been for- 

 tunate in observing, is carried on, as is the rule with 

 other nest-building fishes, entirely by the male. Ap- 

 proaching the surface of the water, he sucks in a mouth- 

 ful of air with a clicking sound, and descends six or eight 

 inches below, then facing the surface lie releases the air 



in small mucous-coverr. 

 joining together, adhcii 



dial 



tlic 



rise to the surface, 

 •ry lightly at fir.'rt. 

 her bubVilfS added, 



iIm^ 





s «'f bubble.s 

 i|i;irt by the 



• bubbles to- 



a watch crystal. Bubbles are added i 

 three or four inches deep, according t 

 and undoubtedly it is often lai'ger. In 

 aquarium the nests were, perha]is, not as 

 would have been in open water, ami tin 

 was comparatively small and easily Mn 

 breath. Age would, however, suou icini 

 compact ; fungoid growths would seal 

 gether, and in a short time the nest would be of a coa- 

 sistence to resist the strongest breeze. When the fish had 

 completed his labours, he began to chase the female about, 

 i inlr i\ ,111 ill-- to drive her in the direction of the nest, 

 ' i III' failed, she probablj" not being ready for the 



III iImii' iiiitive streams the female deposits her eggs 

 under or in the mass of bubbles; there they are held 

 until hatched, the young at first feeding from the mucous 

 spittle, if .so it may be termed, of which the nest is made. 

 Professor Rice suggested to me that it was possible that 

 there was more architectural ability sIhmmi in the struc- 

 ture of the nest than would appem- from h i:i>u;il glance, 

 and that the eggs were not depositeil at iMmioni in the 

 mass, but found their way into the upper portion, that 

 he thought might be a pseudo air-chamber formed by 

 the extreme upper layers of bubbles and the layer resting 

 upon the water. Whether this is the case will be dete?- 

 mined when the eggs are deposited. It would appear 

 more likely that they are deposited at random, and cling 

 wherever they are caught by the bubbles. 



A large number of marine fishes deposit their eggs 

 either upon the surface or in position where they ulti- 

 mately rise, and those of the angler are enclosed in a 

 long gelatinous ribbon ; but in the paradise fish we find 

 a decided improvement, as if the fish had learned by 

 experience that if its eggs became separated they wouM 

 fare badly ; hence the bubble-nest was extemporised to 

 keep them together at the surface, where, perhaps, in the 

 disguise of a mass of froth, they float about, safe from all 

 predatory enemies. — Scuntific . ' 



JUST ONE BOOK. 



Sir,— Will you sp; 

 plead with the touri 

 have no books 



; readers in behalf of the 





t this s 



5ting a 



in hospitals, ir 

 wherever they 

 iipply already. 



way book-stalls, and thro 



"■. I [\ ■ I icvcation of a few liours' journej'. 



' : i I ^ the sick, the poor, the old and 



it reading. The Kyrle Society, 



like charge (through their Hon. 



ii Mtii.iion Branch) of any books sent 



ley reach an appropriate haven either 



workhouses, boys' or men's clubs, or 



lay be wanted. The applications far exceed the 



Magazines, whether of general i 



technical character, such as the medical or engineering, &c., 

 leriodicals are specially acceptable. I will not trespass on your 

 ipace ; those that enjov reading will, I am sure, like to help us,, and 

 vill all (if they can do' no more) send us just one book. Further 

 mrticulars will be sent gladly to any address bj- 

 Kmma S. Busk, 

 Hon. Sec. Literature Distribution Branch Kvrle Society. 

 It, Xottingham-place. 



